Scientists of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, together with colleagues from the Institute of Agrophysical Research and the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have successfully completed the first experiment for the cultivation of watermelons in the Vostok Antarctic Station, the coldest place on Earth, where temperatures can drop to minus 70 degrees. Using substrate cultivation for 103 days, researchers were able to harvest eight ripe, sweet watermelons on 6 plants.
The scientists created favorable conditions for the plants (air temperature and humidity) using a phyto-technical complex specially developed by the Agrophysical Institute for the Vostok station. The plants were grown on a thin layer of soil substitute, using nutrient solutions and specially selected lighting, the spectrum of which is close to sunlight. At the beginning of April, researchers planted two early-ripening watermelon varieties, which were selected because of their high taste characteristics and ability to adapt to low atmospheric pressure and oxygen deficiency. They were manually pollinated at the end of May, and the polar explorers were able to taste the first fruits in July.
"The results of the experiment are impressive. We managed to grow the southernmost watermelons in the harshest conditions in Antarctica. Their taste and aroma are comparable to the watermelons we eat at home! The fruits had a diameter of up to 13 cm and a weight of up to 1 kg. Of course, all polar explorers were happy with this summer taste. Even watching how the plants and fruits grew brought positive emotions. The Agrophysical Institute warned us at the order stage that watermelon is the most "whimsical" plant, but we still chose it: the more difficult the task, the more interesting it is. In the near future, we expect a no less impressive cucumber harvest, "said Andrey Tepliakov, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute's lead geophysicist at the station.
In the next stage, scientists plan to develop the technology for growing blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries in the coldest place on Earth.
Source: aari.ru